Justice News

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against Man Responsible For A String Of Bank Robberies In Manhattan

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”),, announced today the arrest of JAMIE FRIERSON in connection a robbery spree involving at least seven banks in Manhattan, during which thousands of dollars were stolen. FRIERSON was arrested on August 30, 2017, and was presented today in Manhattan federal court before the Honorable Kevin Nathaniel Fox, where he was held without bail.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Jaime Frierson went on a one-man crime spree, brazenly attempting to rob seven Manhattan banks in broad daylight in less than two weeks. Frierson allegedly threatened the lives of bank tellers to get away with thousands of dollars in cash. This alleged conduct endangered the safety of New Yorkers and traumatized bank employees, and I commend our partners at the FBI for their terrific work in apprehending this defendant.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “We have to assume as law enforcement that anyone who allegedly threatens violence during a bank robbery is capable of carrying out that threat. No one can predict an alleged criminal’s behavior, and the uncertainty increases the urgency to solve the robberies. The FBI/NYPD Violent Crimes Task Force worked tirelessly tracking down the suspect in this alleged crime spree to prevent someone getting hurt in the next one.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court:[1]

On August 29, 2017, at approximately 3 o’clock in the afternoon, FRIERSON entered a bank on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and handed a bank teller a note claiming that he was armed, demanding money, and threatening to kill the teller. In response, the teller gave FRIERSON over $8,000 in United States currency. FRIERSON then fled. In addition, between August 16 and August 29, 2017, FRIERSON robbed or attempted to rob six other banks in Manhattan, during which he used a similar modus operandi.

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FRIERSON, 47, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of bank robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York Police Department’s Violent Crimes Task Force.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Aline R. Flodr and Sheb Swett are in charge of the prosecution.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.